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Analysis. Benvolio and Mercutio enter, discussing how Romeo did not come home the night before. They believe he is still out chasing after Rosaline. Benvolio reports that Tybalt has sent a letter to Montague’s house—Mercutio is certain it is a challenge to a duel, and Benvolio believes Romeo will accept Tybalt’s provocation.
- Modern English Translation
ROMEO. And stay, good Nurse. Behind the abbey wall Within...
- Characters
Mercutio is one of the play’s most dynamic and complex...
- Act 3, Scene 5
Romeo and Juliet walk out onto Juliet’s balcony after having...
- Act 2, Prologue
The chorus enters. They describe how Romeo ’s “old desire”...
- Theme Wheel Theme Viz
How does the Theme Wheel work? Each wedge of the blue ring...
- Quizzes
AI Tools for on-demand study help and teaching prep.; Quote...
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AI Tools for on-demand study help and teaching prep.; Quote...
- Quotes
Sampson (to Gregory): Is the law of our side if I say ay?...
- Modern English Translation
Romeo is sensitive to the undercurrents of fate that seem to be pulling him in new directions—but his friends’ influence forces him to shove those feelings down and surrender to having a good time. Mercutio says he had a dream the night before, too—he and Romeo have both been visited by “Queen Mab.”. Benvolio asks who Queen Mab is ...
- Synopsis
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- Analysis
Romeo, Benvolio, and their friend Mercutio, all wearing masks, have gathered with a group of mask-wearing guests on their way to the Capulets feast. Still melancholy, Romeo wonders how they will get into the Capulets feast, since they are Montagues. When that concern is brushed aside, he states that he will not dance at the feast. Mercutio begins t...
Benvolio refocuses their attention on actually getting to the feast. Romeo voices one last concern: he has a feeling that the nights activities will set in motion the action of fate, resulting in untimely death. But, putting himself in the hands of he who hath the steerage of my course, Romeos spirits rise, and he continues with his friends toward ...
However, the scene does augment the general sense of fate through Romeos statement of belief that the nights events will lead to untimely death. The audience, of course, knows that he will suffer an untimely death. When Romeo gives himself up to he that hath the steerage of my course, the audience feels fate take a tighter grasp on him (1.4.112).
This scene also serves as introduction to the clever, whirling, entrancing Mercutio. Spinning wild puns left and right, seeming to speak them as freely as others breathe, Mercutio is established as a friend who can, gently or not, mock Romeo as no one else can. Though thoughtful, Benvolio does not have the quick wit for such behavior. With his wild...
ROMEO. And stay, good Nurse. Behind the abbey wall Within this hour my man shall be with thee And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair, Which to the high top-gallant of my joy 180 Must be my convoy in the secret night.
"Strain courtesy" means "push the limits of good manners," but "courtesy" sounds like "curtsy," which gives Mercutio the means to give Romeo's words his own interpretation: "That's as much as to say, such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams [buttocks]" (2.4.52-53). Mercutio's joke is that Romeo's "case" is that he has picked up a terrible veneral disease which makes him unable ...
Romeo. And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall. Within this hour my man shall be with thee. And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair; Which to the high top-gallant of my joy. Must be my convoy in the secret night. Farewell, be trusty, and I'll quit thy pains. Farewell; commend me to thy mistress.
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Romeo hides from Benvolio and Mercutio because he wants to see Juliet again and avoid their teasing about Rosaline. He is deeply in love with Juliet and doesn't want to share this new love with ...
